AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROJECT AT CiSA · AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROJECT AT CiSA Project overlook:...
Transcript of AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROJECT AT CiSA · AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROJECT AT CiSA Project overlook:...
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2016
AN INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROJECT AT CiSA
Project overlook:
Part 1A: Inoculation of algae
Part 1B: Take one spectrometry measurement
Tuesday March 10th
At lunch time
page 3
page 6
Part 2: Microscope observations Tuesday April 7th page 7
Part 3: Algae Explosion! Tuesday April 7th page 10
Part 4: Titration of soya oil and used oil Thursday April 9th page 13
Part 5: Biodiesel from vegetable oil! Thursday April 9th page 20
Part 6: Biodiesel cleaning Friday April 10th or
Monday April 13th
page 31
Part 7: Combustion of biodiesels Tuesday April 14th page 33
Part 8: Automation of biodiesel production Thursday April 16th page 39
Part 9: Visit of an oil-biodiesel production plant Wednesday April 15th page 41
Synthesis questions page 42
Project evaluation:
Physics: 10% course. Pre-project & Synthesis questions
Entry, exit and in class questions
Chemistry: 10% of course. Lab. sheets completed with observations and questions 5%
Absence policy: Zero on work done during that class.
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PRE-PROJECT RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Keep track of your references
1- Explain what is a renewable energy.
2- Explain/define what a biofuel is.
3- From what plants can we produce oil? Name at least 7 plants.
4- What are the main differences between diesel and regular car fuel?
5- Do you use cooking oil or frying oil at home? Estimate the volume of vegetable
oil used per month in your household. Estimate the volume of oil per year.
6- Cooking and frying oils should not be discarded down the sink after usage. List
and explain at least 3 environmental impacts when vegetable oils are released in
the environment.
7- Briefly research the Jatropha curcas nut and its usage in Africa. Summarize your
findings in 5-10 lines.
8- Several years ago, alcohol from corn plants began to be mass produced and
added to regular fuels. At first, lobbyists and some governments were promising
a bright future to this type of fuel, that could eventually replace ‘’traditional fuels’’.
Time has shown several negative sides (impacts) of using alcohol as a fuel.
Research and clearly explain three negative effects.
9- Vulgaris algae are grown in our laboratory by exposing them at 16 hours of light
per day under light fluorescent tubes glowing mostly in the red and blue
spectrum.
a) Research scientific papers online (http://scholar.google.ca/) and provide
parameters that could be added in order to INCREASE algae and/or oil growth.
Keep track of your references.
b) Explain why glycerol and glucose were chosen as good medium growth.
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Part 1A: Inoculation of algae
Teacher: Ms. Baddour
Time: 90 or 120 minutes
Purpose: To inoculate two species of algae for the biodiesel project.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab Assignment Laboratory Work Post Lab Assignment
none none none
Material:
Gloves Graduated cylinder 100 ml Concentrate Bold’s Basal medium (BBM) (2 Eppendorfs of 1 ml) 2 Autoclave Erlenmeyer flasks + stirrer 3 Serological pipettes (5 ml, 25 ml) Micropipettes (P1000) + Tips Ethyl Alcohol (70 %) Distilled water Plastic beaker (waste) Algae strain : Chlorella vulgaris culture
Procedure:
1 - Preparation of Bold’s Basal medium (BBM) in an aseptic environment
1.1 – Before preparing the BBM solution, you need to clean a portion of your bench area. This will be your ‘aseptic manipulation zone’.
1.1.1 – Clean your ‘aseptic manipulation zone’ with 70 % Ethyl Alcohol. 1.1.2 – Gently clean everything that you need to manipulate in your
‘aseptic zone’ (micropipette, graduate cylinder, Erlenmeyer) with 70% Ethyl Alcohol.
1.2 – Preparing Bold’s Basal medium (Final volume =100 mL) from the
concentrate BBM (all manipulations below are done in the ‘aseptic zone’)
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1.2.1 – A 1/50 dilution is needed to obtain the final BBM solution.
Calculate and record the amount of concentrated BBM & distilled water needed. Ask Ms Baddour or Ms Otis to validate your results.
1.2.2 – Watch these tutorials ‘How to use a micropipette’: ow.ly/urBIu (English) ow.ly/urBYq (French)
1.2.3 – Make the 100 mL BBM solution. Add the required volume of
distilled water in the cylinder to 70% of the final required volume. 1.2.4 – Pipet the amount of concentrated BBM with P1000 micropipette
from the Eppendorf. Transfer the concentrated BBM into the distilled water in your cylinder.
1.2.5 – Add the remaining necessary distilled water to top off the volume
to 100 mL.
2 – Inoculation of the algae (all manipulations below are done in the ‘aseptic zone’)
2.1 – Using a 25 ml sterile pipette, transfer 45 mL BBM solution from your
cylinder to a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask (which has already been sterilized in autoclave).
2.2 – Using the same pipette, transfer another 45 mL BBM solution to a second
250 mL Erlenmeyer flask (which has already been sterilized in autoclave).
2.3 – Identify the Erlenmeyer flask with a tape: First flask: C. Vulgaris, date, your initials
2.4 - Using a 5 mL sterile pipette, transfer 5 mL of Algae Chorella Vulgaris strain into the appropriate identified Erlenmeyer flask. (Note: Ask the technician for the C. Vulgaris culture).
2.5 – Cover the mouth each of your Erlenmeyer flasks with aluminium paper.
Make sure the aluminium paper is well pressed down. 2.6 – Place your Erlenmeyer flasks on a stirring plate under the fluorescent
lights in the Physics lab. (Ask Ms Baddour or Ms Otis to show you the right table).
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2.8 – Clean your bench, materials & store everything in your baskets except for the pipets (garbage).
To sign up for absorption measurements at lunch time, sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k_lKrFbh4z51Qz275u44z3UKTK-DXzd_fachxVCB8Zo/edit?usp=sharing
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Part 1B: Take one spectrometry measurement
Teacher: Ms. Otis
Time: 25 minutes at lunch time
Purpose:
To learn how to use a spectrophometer and provide absorbance results of a
solution.
To develop micropipettes skills.
Evaluation:
Points will be awarded to the graph created at the end of the project, only if
measurements were taken. Absent = zero
Insert measurement in google form here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Arue_5GKXYUQdElwTXNvOVB3aV9SQU5XMWNLaVhsN2c&usp=sharing
Figure 1 : Electromagnetic Spectrum
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Part 2: Microscope observations
Teacher: Mr. Wikarski
Time: 90 minutes
Purpose: To observe algae cells and locate oil production sites.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
None
Take pictures of specimens &
answer questions
Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Background information:
Algae are like plants in the sense that they photosynthesize and are multicellular
organisms. These eukaryotic cells vary in size, but samples are in the order of 2-5
micrometers (2X10-6m to 5X10-6m)
Microalgae (Chlorella Vulgaris) and yeasts are unicellular organisms. Each individual
has only one cell. Yeasts and microalgae (like plants and algae) are eukaryotic cells.
The nuclei of the cells are small dark round spot inside each cell. You must be able to
see vacuoles, transparent white spots inside the cell.
Procedure:
Today, you will observe fresh and dry algae cells under the microscope and try to locate
oil within the cells.
Slides available for 4 observations:
- Algae : Ulva or Fucus
- Yeast : Budding yeast, w.m.
- Plant (corn) : Corn leaf, c.s.
- Fresh Microalgae : YOUR own Chlorella Vulgaris
1- Choose 3 slides amongst the ones available (1 Algae, 1 Yeast, 1 Plant) and
record data in chart below.
2- Prepare a wet mount of your algae C.Vulgaris :
a. Clean the slide with alcohol 95% and a Kimwipe to remove dust.
Take, with a transfer pipet, a small volume of your algae culture from your
Erlenmeyer and put 1 drop over the methylene blue on your slide.
Note : Methylene blue stains on the skin.
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b. Clean the cover slip with a Kimwipe to take remove dust.
c. Add gently the cover slip on the slide with 45o angle. (See picture below).
d. Remove excess liquid with Kimwipe.
e. Observe under the microscope with a 1000X magnification using oil.
f. When all the observations are done, clean each objective with lens paper
& alcohol 95 %. *** Please, pay attention to clean well the 100X objective
that had oil immersion. ***
g. Take a picture of each observation to include in your chart.
h. Complete chart (question 1) below.
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Part 2 Questions:
Keep track of your references
1- Complete the chart below:
YEAST ALGAE PLANT MICROALGAE
Name
Picture or diagram
Magnification
Brief description (color, size,
etc.)
Organelle(s) seen
2- Plants are already used in the production of biofuels. Research some
examples and list two plants used in North America to produce fuel.
3- Briefly explain why algae cells are green. Be sure to explain which colors
from the electromagnetic spectrum are essential for algae growth.
4- According to your observations, which cell organelle contains lipids? Verify
your answer by researching information online.
5- Briefly research how a fluorescent microscope works. Explain how this type
of microscope would be of great interest for identifying oil in cells.
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Part 3: Algae Explosion!
Teachers: Ms. Baddour
Time: 120 minutes
Purpose:
To measure light absorbance of algae cells with the use of a
spectrophometer.
To extract oil from algae cells.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
Read background information and
procedure
none Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Background information:
Production of biodiesel from algae cells has a promising future. The total yield of oil per
hectare from algae cells is more than 10 times the yield production of traditional plants
like soya or canola.
Procedure:
1- Today, you will measure light absorbance of your own algae cells using a
spectrophometer. Light absorbance is done at 685nm.
a) Diluted your algae culture Vulgaris in a ratio 1:5 in order to obtain a FINAL
volume of 1ml.
b) Measure absorbance at 685nm and record results.
c) Using the graph, below, calculate how many cells per ml you have in your
diluted sample.
d) Multiply your answer in d) by 5 (dilution factor). Record answer below.
2- The second part of today’s laboratory is to remove algae cells from their nutritive
culture, wash them properly to avoid contamination and break the cell wall of the
cells to extract oil (faire une lyse cellulaire). Oil extraction is done by ‘’cooking’’
the cells in a vapor sterilized oven.
a) Extract 50ml of algae culture transfer into 50 ml centrifugation test tube
(Rely on centrifugation tube graduation).
b) Centrifuge 4800rpm for 5 minutes.
c) Remove surfactant and clean with 10 ml distilled water.
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d) Centrifuge again at 4800rpm for 5 minutes.
e) Remove surfactant and add ~2.5 ml (maximum) of distilled water and
dispose in official container.
Figure 1: Growing trends for three types of unicellular algae cells.
Part 3 Questions:
Keep track of your references
1- How many microliters of solution did you dilute in water to obtain a final volume
of 1ml? Show calculations below.
2- State absorbance value at 685nm.
3- Use the figure above to calculate how many cells you have per milliliter of
nutritive culture. Show calculations below. (Do not forget to multiply by 5).
4- Why is it necessary to zero the spectrophometer before measurements?
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5- The absorbance is done at 685nm. What color is this?
6- Why is the absorbance done at 685nm? Explain.
7- Provide a free body diagram of forces acting on an algae cell when inside
centrifuge.
8- What is the centripetal acceleration on an algae cell located at the bottom of a
test tube when inside the centrifuge? radius= 10.3cm
9- Our centrifuge at CiSA rotates up to 6000rpm. State this frequency in Hertz.
10- The word centrifuge comes from the centrifugal force. What is the centrifugal
force? Compare it to centripetal force studied in class.
11- Modern ultracentrifuges have a frequency of about 60000Hz. If a red blood cell
(mass 0.01g) is at the bottom of a test tube inside a centrifuge with a radius of 15
cm, find the centripetal force exerted on the red blood cell.
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2016
Part 4: Titration of soybean oil and used oil
Teachers: Ms. Baddour
Time: 90 minutes (if 120 minutes, better)
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is determine the quantity of free fatty acids (FFA) in two
samples of oil (virgin soybean oil and used oil) by titration with KOH. This information is
needed in order to calculate how much catalyst is needed for the conversion of these
oils into biodiesel.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
Entry quiz on procedures that
will be done today
Google doc. entry Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Introduction
What is a standard solution?
A solution prepared using a substance of known high purity, dissolved in a known
volume of solvent1. Thus, the concentration of a standard solution is accurately known
and is usually expressed as a molarity (mol of solute/L of solution). It is important that
the mass of solute and the final volume of the solution are measured precisely (mass
of solute on an electronic balance and volume of solution with a volumetric flask).
Note: Usually chemists prepare a stock solution when using standard solutions in the
lab. A stock solution is a concentrated solution, which is then diluted to a lower
concentration for actual use.
What is a titration?
Titration is a technique commonly used by chemists to determine the concentration of a
solution. It involves the slow addition of one solution of known concentration (e.g. a
standard solution) to a known volume of another solution of unknown concentration.
The solution of known concentration is called the titrant. The addition of the titrant to the
1 http://goldbook.iupac.org/S05924.html
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solution of unknown concentration continues until the reaction reaches neutralization
(typically indicated by a change in colour)2. Figure 1 illustrates a typical titration setup.
Figure 1 - Typical Titration Setup3
Remember: Burette readings always have 2 decimal places.
2 http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Quantitative_Analysis/Titration 3 http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/@api/deki/files/5184/=new_burette.jpg
Stopcock
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Background information:
Used oils (ones that have been used once already for cooking) contain free fatty acids
(FFA). Recall that all oils are composed of triglycerides and that triglycerides are made
up of 3 fatty acid chains connected to a glycerin backbone. During heating, the
triglycerides break down into diglycerides and FFA, as shown in Figure 1. The more an
oil is used, the more the concentration of FFA increases. Used oils can contain up to 15
% (m/v4) FFA. The darker the used oil, the higher the FFA content.
Figure 1: Formation of free fatty acids (FFA) Why are we concerned about FFA? Because during the transesterification reaction to
produce biodiesel, the FFA react with the catalyst (a strong base: NaOH or KOH) and
form…soap! (Figure 2). The presence of this soap causes problems during biodiesel
purification and it hinders the separation of the biodiesel phase from the glycerin phase.
Figure 2: The reaction of FFA with a strong base to form soap
Thus, the amount of FFA must be determined by titration. Then, the extra amount of
catalyst (KOH) that will be needed for the conversion of used oil to biodiesel can be
calculated. In this way, we will ensure that there is enough available catalyst for the
transesterification reaction.
4 15 % m/v = 15 grams of FFA per 100 mL of used oil
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Material
● Isopropanol
● KOH stock solution (1 % m/v5)
● Phenolphthalein
● Soybean oil
● Used oil
● Universal support
● Burette support
● 50 mL burette
● 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask x 4
● 5 mL transfer pipettes
● 10 ml graduated cylinder
● 100 ml volumetric flask
● Funnel
● Gloves
Procedure
A) Prepare your titrant Standard KOH solution [0,1% m/v] (Vf =100ml) from a KOH
stock solution [1% m/v]
1. Dilute the KOH stock solution by a factor6 of 10 by transferring _____ mL of your
stock solution to a clean volumetric flask using a graduate cylinder. Add distilled
water to the appropriate final volume. This new solution is your titrant, label it.
B) Titration of a Used & Soybean oil
2. Fill the burette with the titrant solution (0.1 % m/v KOH). Record the exact
initial volume of the solution in the burette (Remember: Burette readings always
have 2 decimal places).
Note : Remove the air bubble, if present, from the bottom of the stopcock by
gently tapping on the burette.
3. Add 10 mL isopropanol (use a graduated cylinder), 1 mL of used oil (use
transfer pipette), and 2-3 drops of Phenolphthalein to a 125 mL Erlenmeyer
flask.
Note: Make some up & down with isopropanol in order to dissolve and transfer
all of the oil from the pipette to the Erlenmeyer.
5 0.1 % m/v = 0.1 grams of KOH per 100 mL of water 6 Dilution factor = Vnew/Vold
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4. Titrate drop by drop and agitate continuously the Erlenmeyer flask until the
end point is reached.
Note : Titrate by adding the titrant from the burette to the titrated solution in the
flask. Do this by opening the tap(stopcock) to deliver a small stream of
titrant to your flask. The indicator will change colour when the titrant hits
the solution in the flask, however this colour change will disappear once
the solution is mixed. As you get close to the end point, slowly add the
titrant drop by drop!. The endpoint occurs when a permanent dark pink
colour is obtained.
5. Once the endpoint is reached, record the exact final volume of KOH in the
burette.
Ref : Image by Valerie Otis
6. Repeat steps 1 to 4 for a second trial with the used oil and calculate the
average volume of KOH used. The results should not vary by more than
0.10 mL. Remember to add more titrant solution to the burette before
starting the next titration and don’t forget to record the initial volume.
Note: After your first titration – keep your Erlenmeyer flask nearby to compare
with the remaining titrations.
7. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with the soybean oil.
8. Completely remove the KOH titrant solution from the burette and put it in the
appropriate waste container.
At the end only, cleaning:
Dispose the solution titrated in the appropriate waste container.
Rinse volumetric flask with water & let it dry.
Wash the Erlenmeyer flasks with water & soap. Use a brush to help dissolve the oil.
Place the glassware upside down in the drying rack.
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Name:______________________________________________________
Part 4 Questions:
1. Record your titration data in the following table.
Used oil Soybean oil
Initial KOH volume (mL)
Final KOH volume (mL)
Volume of KOH used (mL)
Initial KOH volume (mL)
Final KOH volume (mL)
Volume of KOH used (mL)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Average
2. Calculate the % FFA in both oils.
Used oil Soybean oil
% FFA
Calculations
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3. Calculate the extra KOH that will be needed for the transesterification reaction
tomorrow. Remember that 1 mL of oil was used
Used oil
Average volume of KOH 0.1 % used during titration
Mass of extra KOH needed per L of oil
Mass of extra KOH to add to 55 mL of oil
Calculations
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Part 5: Biodiesel from vegetable oil!
Teacher: Mr. Ian Wikarski
Time: 120 minutes
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to produce biodiesel from soybean oil. You will
perform the transesterification reaction and use stoichiometry to determine the percent
yield of the reaction. The percent conversion of used oils and virgin oils will be
compared.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
Entry quiz on procedures that
will be done today
none Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Background information:
The transesterification reaction is as follows:
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Common Fatty Acids:
Biodiesel is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) the most abundant FAME in biodiesel is
linolenic acid methyl ester:
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Material
● 55 mL of soybean oil and 55 mL
of used oil
● 40 mL methanol x 2
● KOH pellets
● 100 mL beaker x 2
● 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask x 2
● 100 mL graduated cylinder x 2
● 25 ml graduated cylinder x 1
● thermometer
● universal stand
● thermometer clamp
● heating plate
● transfer pipettes
● magnetic stir bars
● Timer
Setup
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 1 (a)-(c): Setup for transesterification
Procedure:
1 – Prepare your caustic methanol solutions (one to be used for soybean oil and one to
be used for the used oil).
2.1 Label two 100 mL beakers: “Caustic methanol for soybean oil” and “Caustic
methanol for used oil”.
2.2 In the first beaker (for soybean oil): Weigh 1.4 g of KOH. Dissolve the
KOH in 40 mL of methanol (measure with 50 ml cylinder) in a 100 mL
beaker using a magnetic stir bar. Wait until the KOH dissolves completely
(this may take up 10 minutes).
2.3 In the second beaker (for used oil): Weigh 1.4 g + 0.0605 g = 1.4605 g of
KOH. (The extra KOH amount is determined from the titration results from
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yesterday). Dissolve the KOH in 40 mL of methanol in a 100 mL beaker
using a magnetic stir bar. Wait until the KOH dissolves completely (this may
take up 10 minutes).
2 - Prepare your setup as shown in Figure 1.
3 – The transesterification reaction:
3.1 Measure 55 mL of soybean oil using a 50 ml graduated cylinder. Transfer
the oil into the Erlenmeyer flask and add a magnetic stir bar. Make sure your
flask is stabilized and well supported by clamping it to the universal stand
(see setup image).
3.2 Add hot water from the tap to the water bath container and gently heat
using the heating plate.
3.3 Using the thermometer clamp, fix the thermometer in order to be able to
determine the water bath temperature.
3.4 Start the agitation on the heat/stir plate. Adjust it such that you form a little
whirlpool in the oil, without causing any splashing.
3.5 Heat until the temperature of the water bath reaches 50 oC, then turn off the
heating.
3.6 Add 14 mL of caustic methanol to the Erlenmeyer flask using a 25 ml
graduated cylinder.
3.7 Maintain the temperature of the water bath between 45 and 55 oC for 20
minutes. To do this, wait until the temperature decreases to 45 oC before
turning on the heating again.
Note: The temperature must not exceed 55 oC.
3.8 After 20 minutes, the reaction is done. Stop the agitation and turn off the
heating plate.
3.9 Remove the Erlenmeyer flask from the hot water bath and leave it on the lab
bench to cool down for about 10 minutes, so that it reaches room
temperature.
3.10 Meanwhile, repeat steps 3.1 to 3.9 with 55 mL of used oil. Remember to
use the caustic methanol that was prepared for the used oil.
3.11. Transfer in 150ml beakers. Cover them with aluminum foil. Label each with
your initials.
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Figure 2: Erlenmeyer flask with two phases (upper: biodiesel, lower: glycerin). Image by Ian Wikarski
Waste Disposal Instructions: Dispose of caustic methanol in the appropriate container
under the fumehood.
Cleaning: 1. Graduated cylinders: Clean every cylinder. If it contains oil, use soap and wash
thoroughly with the brush. 2. Beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks: Wash with water & soap. 3. Drying: Place the glassware upside down in the basket to let them dry.
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Name:______________________________________________________
Part 5 Questions:
Keep track of your references
Background Questions
1. Fill in the following table to indicate the stoichiometric coefficients of the
transesterification reaction performed today.
REACTANTS
↔
PRODUCTS
Soybean oil (triglyceride)
A
Methanol
B
Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters or FAME)
C
Glycerin
D
2. In this lab, we produce a biodiesel from soybean oil at the experimental scale via the
transesterification reaction. Would this reaction be doable with other types of oils?
Briefly explain.
3. What factors could influence the speed of the transesterification reaction performed
today with soybean oil?
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Observations
4. Complete the table below
Data Values
Volume of soybean oil used (mL)
Volume of methanol used (mL)
Reaction time (minutes)
Temperature of the water bath (oC)
Volume of biodiesel collected (mL)
The following information will be useful to answer the next few questions.
Soybean oil Methanol Biodiesel Glycerin
Molar mass (g/mol)
872 32 292 92
Density (g/mL)
0.92 0.79 0.88 1.25
Boiling point (oC)
257 65 348 290
Synthesis Questions
5. Using the volumes and experimental information, determine the mass and number of
moles of the two reactants. Show your calculations below and enter your values into the
table provided.
Reactants Volume (mL) Mass (g) Moles
Soybean oil
Methanol
Calculations:
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6. Fill in the following table and show your calculations below. The experimental ratio
corresponds to the number of moles of methanol in the solution for every 1 mole of
soybean oil present.
Reactants Stoichiometric coefficient from
the equation
Experimental number of moles
Experimental ratio
Soybean oil 1
Methanol
Calculations:
Does the quantity of reactants used agree with the stoichiometric coefficients from the
balanced equation? Explain briefly.
7. Recall that we used a caustic methanol solution today (methanol containing a small
amount of KOH, a strong base). The KOH acts as a catalyst. Explain the role of a
catalyst and its impact on the reaction.
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8. Why is it important to maintain the temperature of the mixture between 45 and 55 oC
during the reaction?
9. What property of the two products (biodiesel and glycerin) lets us deduce that the top
phase is the biodiesel?
10. Calculate the theoretical masses and volumes of biodiesel and glycerin that
should have been obtained based on stoichiometry. Use the number of moles of the
limiting reactant (soybean oil) for your calculations and consider that methanol is in
excess.
Soybean Oil Biodiesel Glycerin
Stoichiometry coefficients
Number of moles
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Calculations:
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11. Use your experimental volumes and theoretical volumes to help you answer the
following questions:
a) Calculate the percent yield of biodiesel. Remember: percent yield = experimental
volume / theoretical volume x 100
Data Values
Experimental volume of biodiesel produced (mL)
Refer to Question 4
Theoretical volume of biodiesel (mL) Refer to Question 10
% yield
b) Knowing that the yield of this reaction should be around 98 %, how does your yield
determined above compare? Discuss briefly.
12. Calculate the percent conversion of the soybean oil and used oil and summarize in
the table below.
Soybean oil Used oil
Volume of oil used (mL) 55 55
Volume of biodiesel produced (mL)
% conversion = (Vbiodiesel/Voil) * 100
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13. How does the percent conversion of the used oil compare to the virgin soybean oil?
Explain.
14. Explain briefly why converting used oils to biodiesel is problematic compared to
virgin oils. How can you overcome this problematic?
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Part 6: Biodiesel cleaning
Teacher: Mr. Wikarski
Time: 60 minutes
Purpose: To clean the produced biodiesel from free fatty acids and
methanol and create a true acceptable commercial fuel.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
none none N/A
Background information:
Biodiesels produced from used oils contain free fatty acids, glycerol, methanol residues
and soap -which are byproducts of the titration process-. To clean your biodiesel from
these impurities, water will be used. This process is widely used in the industry and
washing accurately the biodiesel will make a truly acceptable commercial fuel.
Procedure:
The following steps must be done for each biodiesel produced in step 5 (from soya and
from used oils). You can do the steps at the same time, but use different containers.
1- Get your 2 erlenmeyers containing biodiesel from Part 5 lab.
2- Transfer the biodiesel (upper phase – refer to Figure 2) by decanting to a 100
mL graduated cylinder. Complete the remaining transfer using a transfer pipette.
Make sure not to transfer any glycerol to the graduated cylinder!
3- Determine the exact volume of the biodiesel collected. Record your volume in
the observation sheet.
4- Transfer the biodiesel into a cooking jar (pot Masson) : 1 jar for soya oil; 1 jar for
used oil (Identified the jars : type oil, initials, date).
Note : You can combine your biodiesel with another team to reduce the amount
of jars used.
5- Add 20% of volume of tap water to the biodiesel.
For example, add 20ml of water to 100ml of biodiesel.
6- Add the lid to the jar and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Turn the jar upside
down several times.
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7- Wait 5 minutes and note observations.
8- Repeat steps 1 to 4 with the other biodiesel.
9- Wait at least 24 hours to record final observations (done next class).
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Part 7: Combustion of biodiesels
Teacher: Mr. Wikarski
Time: A solid 120 minutes (65 minutes of theory + 55 minutes of laboratory)
Purpose: To verify the energy content of biodiesel fuels and compare it to
regular fuels.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
None Fill out google document
Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Background information:
Renewables biofuels offer a promising hope in the reduction of production of global warming
molecules (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.). In the past years, the federal government has
imposed new regulations in fuel composition. Table 1 summarizes some regulations.
Table 1 : New regulations on commercial fuels
Type of fuel Content required Type of biofuel Date of regulation
Fuel 5% Ethanol December 15th 2010
Diesel and heating
crude oil 2% Biodiesel
July 1st 2011
January 2013 (Québec et maritimes)
Adding the biofuels to regular fuels leads to the following questions: What are the environmental
and economic benefits of doing so? To answer this question, some calculations are required.
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Table 2: Molecular structure of some fuels
Éthanol Essence (Octane)
Biodiésel
*Esther méthylique d’acide
linoléique
Pétrodiésel
Structure
Formule
moléculaire C2H6O C8H18 C19H34O2
Masse
molaire
M (g/mole)
46 114 294
Masse
volumique
(g/mL)
0,79 0,70 0,88 0,85
Results:
Table 3 : Theoretical heat combustion of various fuels.
Fuel
Heat combustion
kJ
mole
Molar mass
(g/mole)
Heat combustion
(theoritical)
kJ
g
Ethanol
Octane
Biodiesel
(from soya)
OHCH3
CH2
CH3
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2CH3
CH2
CH3
O
O
CH3
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH
C
CH2
CH2
CH
CH2
CH
CH
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Procedure:
Figure 1 : Set-up
1. First, transfer your biodiesel from soya oil or used oil, as decided in class, using a funnel
under the fume hood.
Note : Fill the burner approximately to three-quarter.
2. Add 300ml of tap water to soda can. Measure volume as accurately as possible using a
graduated cylinder.
3. Take burner with identified fuel.
4. Measure the mass of burner and record result.
5. Measure initial water temperature. Make sure thermometer does not touch bottom of can.
6. Light up burner located at 0.5cm from bottom of can.
7. Wait approximately 40-50 seconds OR until water temperature has changed by 4-5 degrees
Celsius.
8. Measure the mass of burner again and record result.
9. Repeat steps 1 to 7 with three other types of fuel.
Insert all your results in the google doc. * Enter values in google form :
Group 1: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aRpKDTewiRhl-rkLuz7GI4mwZwkvVI32an0sPLz7pqA/edit?usp=sharing
Group 2 and 3: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1A26mDOZryhotx-X_HQbfngnjS8qfucZcCp1rBNtmYcQ/edit?usp=sharing
Note : Distance between burner and
flame should be 0.5cm to 1cm max.
WARNING :
Lab. coat and goggles needed.
Watch out for fumes.
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE!!!
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Name:______________________________________________________
Table 4 : Burned mass
Initial mass
(g)
Final mass
(g)
Burned mass
(g)
Ethanol
Octane
Petrodiesel
Biodiesel (soya) OR
Biodiesel (used oil)
Table 5 : Water temperature variations
Initial temperature
(C)
Final temperature
(C)
Temperature difference
(T)
(C)
Ethanol
Octane
Petrodiesel
Biodiesel (soya)
Biodiesel (used oil)
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Table 6* : Heat combustion of various fuels (kJ/g)
Use c = 4.186 joule/gram °C for water.
T
(C)
Energy absorbed
by water (kJ) Burned mass
(g)
Experimental heat of
combustion*
kJ
g
Ethanol
Octane
Petrodiesel
Biodiesel
(soya)
Biodiesel
(used oil)
* Enter values in google form :
Group 1: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aRpKDTewiRhl-rkLuz7GI4mwZwkvVI32an0sPLz7pqA/edit?usp=sharing
Group 2 and 3: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1A26mDOZryhotx-X_HQbfngnjS8qfucZcCp1rBNtmYcQ/edit?usp=sharing
Table 7* : Heat combustion and % difference between theoretical and experimental
values.
*USE CLASS AVERAGES (GOOGLE FORM) TO FILL THIS CHART
Heat of combustion
(theoretical)
kJ
g
Average heat of
combustion
(experimental)
kJ
g
% différence
Ethanol 27.4
Octane 44.7
Petrodiesel N/A N/A
Biodiesel (soya) 37.8
Biodiésel (used oil) 37.8
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Part 7 Questions:
Keep track of your references
1. Describe your observations between biodiesel and petrodiesel (smell of fumes, color
of fuel, color of flames, size of flames, etc.)
2. According to your experimental results, which fuel has the greatest heat combustion
per gram? Is your answer identical to class averages? Explain.
3. State at least three sources of error in this laboratory explaining significant
differences between theoretical and experimental values
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Part 8: Automation of biodiesel production
Teacher: Mr. Wikarski
Time: 120 minutes
Purpose: To visualize and analyze a semi-automatic biodiesel machine.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
None none Questions to be answered and submitted on moodle
Background information:
The following semi-automatic machine is controlled by a programmable logic
controller and can be controlled manually. The machine is used to convert soya
oil (or any other clean vegetable oil) into biodiesel.
Procedure
Analyze carefully the machine and press various switches (manually) to verify
which valve they control.
Questions:
1. Carefully identify container A,B,C,D by outlining what reactant(s) (or liquid(s))
you would add to each respective container. Record answers in the chart below.
Container Reactant(s) or Liquid(s)
A
B
C
D
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
2. Identify a posible valve number that would be opened at the following times:
Time (minutes) VALVE NUMBER(S)
0
90
91
720 (12 hrs)
3. Calculate and state all quantities needed (including concentrations and times)
that would produce a FINAL volume of 250ml of biodiesel. Leave calculations
below.
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
Part 9: Visit of Rothsay Biodiesel Company
Teachers: Mr. Wikarski & Valérie Ottis
Time: 60 minutes
Purpose: To visit a real industrial biodiesel production plant.
Evaluation:
Pre-Lab. assignment
Laboratory work Post. Lab assignment
none none none
Background information:
Briefly visit the company website to learn more about biodiesel:
http://www.rothsay.ca/francais/produits/biodiesel/
Direction to the company: (a 15 minute drive from school)
Rothsay Sainte-Catherine
605 1ere Ave.
Sainte-Catherine, QC J5C 1C5
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
SYNTHESIS QUESTIONS
1. We saw in this project how to produce biodiesel by transesterification as a batch
operation. Say you wanted to perform the same transesterification from clean
vegetable oil as we did in the lab, but with larger quantities AND as a continuous
automatic process. Draw, label and explain a diagram of what your continuous
set-up would look like. Be sure to include quantities (e.g. volumes, times,
concentrations, etc). Use information from the fieldtrip.
2. Briefly explain why ethanol is now added to regular fuel and why biodiesel is
added to regular petro diesel.
3. Converting used oils into biodiesel is not as easy as it sounds. Explain why a
titration of used oils is necessary and explain the steps needed in order to obtain
clean biodiesel from used oils.
4. Theoretical values for oil content for the algae Vulgaris is approximately 15%
(mass oil/mass algae) under good growing conditions. You are part of a
company that would like to produce 20000 liters of biodiesel from algae Vulgaris
per month.
a) How much raw oil from algae would you need in order to produce the desired
quantity? (look at your results from the soya experiment)
b) How much mass of algae would you required? (Hint: density of oil is
approximately 0.92g/ml).
5. In your own words, explain the difference between a first generation, second
generation and third generation biofuel, give examples and state the advantages
and disadvantages of each.
6. In plain and simple terms (such that a 10 year old child can understand), explain
what is a biodiesel and how it is produced by transesterification.
7. Based on your knowledge of the various biofuel generations, describe a possible
nth generation biofuel.
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Prepared by Carole Baddour and Ian Wikarski CISA 2015
8. Create an absorption / time graph for the growth of algae over a 3 week period. Use
class data created at lunch time using the google document. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Arue_5GKXYUQdElwTXNvOVB3aV9SQU5XMWNLaVhsN2c&usp=sharing
9. What are your thoughts and opinions about this project? Please fill de survey
online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1awhVswEtrwEZn8cT6Z4LPAE_YpwF9bNyXGUKjFbHBk4/viewform
References:
Camden Council, Camden. "Biodiesel Project." Biodiesel Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/page/biodiesel_project.html>.
"Des moteurs qui carburent aux algues." Accueil. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://carburerauxalgues.com/>.
http://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_13.05.03_u